13 MAY 09: Sky-Scrapped
OK, now I can admit it - from the beginning, I was skeptical The Phenixian ever would happen. It simply seemed too grand for Phenix City. Too fancy. Too elite. A downtown Motel 6 seemed more appropriate....
Phenix City Mayor Sonny Coulter said out loud Tuesday what many residents already suspected - it appears The Phenixian high-rise condominium project has been canceled. In fact, Coulter declared it "dead." They don't even put that label on former city managers in Phenix City.
Mayor Sonny Coulter based his statement on the fact Ronnie Gilley Properties seem more interested in other projects around Alabama right now. But I thought big investor George Jones came to Columbus in April. You mean he didn't stop at Phenix City Hall, before singing at the Civic Center?!
We mentioned earlier this year that Ronnie Gilley wanted to build an entertainment complex along U.S. 431 in Phenix City -- one of several in the state that would offer electronic bingo, similar to Victoryland. But Alabama Governor Bob Riley doesn't seem thrilled about such things. I don't think he even made a friendly wager on the Alabama-Utah Sugar Bowl.
We tried checking the Ronnie Gilley Properties web site Tuesday night, to see if The Phenixian was still mentioned there. A Google search indicated it was - but we couldn't open the business's site to be sure, and our security software picked off a "Trojan" as we tried. A Troy Trojan, we can only assume....
But we did find the minutes of a February Phenix City Council meeting with the Downtown Redevelopment Authority. At that time, an official said the developer's "obligation to the city" had expired. I'm not sure what that means - but at least Troy University has held a fancy land takeover ceremony.
Yet a big sign still stood Tuesday at the site of The Phenixian, along the Phenix City riverfront. If Mayor Coulter's statement is accurate, is it OK for hunters to start using that sign for target practice?
The Phenixian was supposed to be a keystone of Phenix City's downtown renaissance. Troy University plans to build a new business school in that same "Triangle" area. Yet while old apartments have been torn down, construction on that school has yet to begin. Troy is waiting for the money to build first - explaining why no Troy professors serve in the Obama administration.
The Phenixian's developers promised in January 2007 construction would begin that summer [17 Jan 07]. But delays occurred, reportedly because the deal required federal approval. At least the city couldn't blame THAT one on the Broad Street renovation.
Phenix City officials have nothing in mind at the moment to replace The Phenixian. But I think we can rule out one idea right now -- a statue of former mayor Jeff Hardin.
BLOG UPDATE: We now return to that lengthy set of questions the "13th Street Businessperson" of Phenix City mailed us. Here's one we made sure to ask about after Monday night's town hall meeting....
Did this city float a bond dated February 1, 2009 for 7.85 million dollars? The city clerk said she did not know anything about this [24 Mar] neither do the taxpaying citizens of Phenix City.
City Finance Director Stephen Smith described it to me as a refinancing of old bonds. Part of the money involves general obligation bonds. Part of the money involves that controversial "Triangle" land downtown - which if the city isn't careful will become like a Bermuda Triangle, where great ideas go to die.
Phenix City Manager Wallace Hunter told me a new city bond issue is coming soon, to pay for water and sewage repairs. Maybe that's why I received a surprise call Tuesday night from a Columbus investment specialist, promoting municipal bonds with a ten-percent payoff. I thought I gave that business card Monday night to the city Personnel Director.
Why do we have 3 surplus city vehicles (sedans) parked in south Phenix City at Fire Station No. 3?
Now now - even if the vehicles had been SUV's, they still could not have handled the crowd which met for a town hall meeting at a church.
I learned at the forum that Phenix City's Fire Department has been going door-to-door, doing a survey on city water lines. It apparently is the south side's turn for the survey right now - and the City Manager didn't promise to put firefighters on their feet, the way he has with police officers.
You were elected by citizens (very few) to serve in a part time capacity as per the City Charter. Why do some of you loiter around City Hall all day. That is not what the charter calls for. You were supposed to hire a city manager who is capable of overseeing the day to day operations of the city!
Oh really now - how does this businessperson know Phenix City Council members are "loitering" all day? Unless, of course, this person is taking frequent business breaks to do it himself?
Phenix City Council members had nothing but praise for City Manager Wallace Hunter at Monday night's forum. But then again, how are they supposed to know he's capable if they don't make surprise inspections?
We admittedly did not get answers to six other questions the 13th Street Businessperson sent. A couple seemed very wonky for a HUMOR blog to address, and a few required more inside information than we could understand. Perhaps this Businessperson should organize his OWN town hall to get those answers -- maybe at a public school, so no annoying ministers feel led to give prayers.
E-MAIL UPDATE: Since we're not really The Blog of Phenix City (although we seem to have become that by default), let's hear from someone about Columbus....
I was really under the impression based on the Ledger-Enquierer reporting that safety would improve downtown after Columbus BID and Uptown Columbus merged. Instead it appears to be deteriorating.
During the past 10 days more or less:
Columbus crime: Aggravated assault, robbery in downtown Columbus....
Mother, daughter robbed at gunpoint outside of Country's BBQ....
Columbus crime: Jason Blackmon charged with having gun in Big City Club
Perhaps the criminals are changing tactics - moving away from those Saturday night brawls on Broadway.
We have several more e-mails, which we'll try to address Thursday. But let's see what else is making news....
+ Columbus Council held a four-hour marathon discussion on a proposed "overlay district" for Veterans Parkway north of Moon Road. Several business owners apparently oppose the idea - but simply can't bear the thought of moving across the county line, and saying they're located at the edge of Cataula.
+ Fort Benning announced Commanding General Michael Barbero will be replaced in June, after only seven months in charge. Doesn't this change seem awfully fast? You almost wonder if Barbero complained about the menu at The Fife and Drum.
+ The Ledger-Enquirer presented its annual "Page One" awards to top local high school students. In keeping with recent cuts at the Ledger-Enquirer, all the speeches were Twitter-length.
+ The Macon Telegraph reported a woman stabbed another woman, after stealing her "hair products." This suspect must not have heard that old TV jingle - sometimes you need a little Finesse, sometimes you need a lot.
+ The evening news showed the Columbus State University men's golf team, which is growing "Fu Manchu" beards until its playoff run is over. If Tiger Woods learns how well this works, all the talk of a slump could end at the U.S. Open.
+ Instant Message to Double Churches Elementary School: A career day? OK. Illustrating it with work vehicles? OK. But who had the bright idea of bringing in a hearse? Was that a little something extra from the Metro Narcotics Task Force?
The number of unique visitors to our blog is up more than 14 percent so far this year! To advertise to them, offer a story tip, make a PayPal donation or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.
BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 478 (- 1, 0.2%)
The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.
© 2003-09 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.